First Big Snow of 2013

Mostly eating snow and making snow angels.  Winston didn't even mind that he couldn't walk...it just meant he was that much closer to the snow (to eat it).  

Party in Iowa City

The annual Iowa City Christmas Party...in rare form at 8:30pm...

Shhhh....

I'm hiding from my sisters...and just minding my own business.

Things I Do When Mom Isn't Home....

I climb chairs (to get over fences), I stack clothes baskets and then jump up and down on them...and dad lets me drink beer from a frosty mug...

Dad's Speakers

Veda: "Dad, what are you doing?"
Todd: "I'm cleaning up my speakers so I can sell them"
Veda: "Why are you selling them, don't you like them anymore?"
Todd: "Yes, I actually like them quite a bit, but mom is making me sell them"
Veda: "I have an idea, maybe you should find something that mom really likes, then sell it!"

Happy 1st Winston!

It was a pretty low-key day for the big guy. Lucky for him his sisters are master party planners. They both picked out gifts for Winston from the Target dollar bin. Adele got him cake sprinkles and Veda got him flower seeds. They colored paper and wrapped the gifts themselves.

Date Night!

Todd was out of town. Instead of cancelling our babysitter I had her come a little earlier. Veda and I went to paint pottery and then to Broders for dinner. Loved our time together and Adele loved having the babysitter to herself.

First Day at Their New School

Rainy MSP

Just thought this was a cool pic of the Hennepin Ave bridge downtown Minneapolis (on a rainy January night)...more importantly, this was taken during our first official date night of 2013.

Sunglasses Shopping

Veda insisted that we needed to get Grandpa Gary sunglasses for his birthday (in January), so off we went to Target.  A couple pics of the girls modeling their favorite choices and one with the end result (a happy Grandpa with his new shades)...

Race Car Hotdogs Gone Wild

Veda and dad started making race car hotdogs (one of her favorite snacks), but it was just too much fun (for dad), so we turned it into a hotdog, laying on a swampy beach (the tortilla with bean sprouts), on a ham/cheese lawn chair, an american cheese cover up (or straight jacket) and a cucumber/pickle umbrella (to keep the sun off his head of course)...

Hot Jamz

What started as a fun little party trick, has now become a common occurrence for Winston.  He loves his mini 'jukebox' and carries it everywhere (his own little boombox).  He usually jams out to different tunes as he walks around the house...

Sledding at Browndale Park

Veda's first official trip sledding in Minneapolis with our friends Johnny and Erica.  Mom had to stay home while Winston and Adele napped.  Veda was a trooper...first trip down was REALLY fast and she did a bit of a face plant at the bottom of the hill.  Eventually we found a hill that suited us well.

And (possibly) Veda's favorite part, the 'Warming House' where they had a fireplace and sold hot chocolate.  Awesome to see so many kids skating and playing hockey...only in Minnesota.

Laabs Christmas

Here is a little recap of Christmas day gifts and shenanigans at Didi and Papi's house in Clear Lake.

 Grandpa Gary 'gift-wrapping' Veda on Christmas Eve

 Winston in his Sunday best.

 Winston with his new farm toys, circa 1980 (from Todd's collection).

 Veda & Adele's horses.

 Grooming of the horse.

Christmas Eve Hike on Clear Lake

We spent the days leading up to Christmas in Clear Lake.  Fortunately, we had a nice, snowy Christmas Eve day, perfect for taking a little hike out to the island near my parents house.  Veda and Adele were able to make snow angels on the ice on the lake and Winston got to tag along in the wagon.

Merry Christmas...

a few days late.  This year we opted for a shot of Winston and the girls from the inside of the PODS unit that we spent several weeks packing.  It also showcases Winston's killer dance moves and his love of clapping.  Hope all our friends and family had a great Christmas and look forward to a great 2013!

Miss you!

Todd just met my parents in Waterloo to pick up Winston. He has been with them in Iowa City for a week now. They offered to take him so we could get settled in the new house in Minneapolis and then a winter storm came through. The roads have been covered in snow and ice so we haven't been able to get him until today. I'm sure he's going to miss them a lot but I can't wait to snuggle him. Good thing we are closer now and they can come visit whenever they want!

Gingerbread House 2012

While we were in Ohio packing the house, Nana was keeping the kids busy with this project. By the looks of it she did most of the construction work while Adele was happy to eat away at the roof and garden.

Alien Hats

Pipe cleaners and a strainer make for a fun afternoon project. When you are wearing the hat you have to speak "Alien".

December in Iowa

 

Water Tables can be fun in the winter too. We went to the Asian market and bought a 20lb bag of rice. Hours of fun!

Christmas in Iowa City

 We had an early xmas in Iowa City due to the move to Minneapolis this week. We missed not having Ryan there. He's living in Japan and was unable to join us this year.

 Veda was thrilled that Santa got her letter and her request for a Raggedy Ann doll.

Oops. Santa left part of his cookie and Winston was quick to the plate (pun intended).

In honor of my brother my Mom tried to recreate one of his traditional wrapping masterpieces. We decided they were a little too pretty but we hope he appreciates the effort.

 Thanks Aunt Kathy!

Bull and Winston bonding!

Hudson's Baptism

A little late on the post but on Dec 2nd we were honored to be the sponsors of the little man on his big day. He was a champ. He smiled through the whole thing and I couldn't quit smiling back. It was a special day and all the kids did a great job sitting through church.